Contributor

Kristin Houser

Staff Writer

Contact

kristin.houser@freethink.com

Kristin Houser is a staff writer at Freethink, where she covers science and tech. Her written work has appeared in Business Insider, NBC News, and the World Economic Forum’s Agenda, among other publications, and Stephen Colbert once talked about a piece on The Late Show, to her delight.

Prior to joining Freethink, Kristin was a staff writer for Futurism and wrote several animated and live action web series.

Aerospace

ESA is building its first reusable spaceplane

ESA is officially building Space Rider, a spaceplane designed to give scientists cheaper access to microgravity for their experiments.

Kristin Houser

Paleontology

Ice Age wolf mummy discovered almost 100% intact

An almost perfectly preserved wolf mummy discovered in the Canadian tundra is giving researchers a glimpse into the life of an ancient wolf.

Kristin Houser

3D Printing

The next car you purchase could include 3D printed parts

Automakers are relying more heavily on 3D printing, and for drivers, that means more customization options.

Kristin Houser

Aerospace

5 awesome space exploration achievements of 2020

2020 was a big year for space news. Here are five achievements in space exploration that were particularly awesome.

Kristin Houser

Genetics

First-of-its-kind app lets scientists analyze DNA on the move

Genome sequencing tech is getting more portable. Now, there’s a genome analysis app that puts the ability to study those genomes in scientists’ pockets.

Kristin Houser

Robotics

NASA scientists want to send this robot dog to Mars

A modified version of Boston Dynamics' robot dog Spot could be the ideal Mars rover for exploring caves and other underground structures.

Kristin Houser

Genetics

These chatbots provide genetic counseling services

Genetic counseling services are in high demand. Now, chatbots are providing some of those services, helping patients navigate DNA testing.

Kristin Houser

This VR exoskeleton lets you actually run through virtual worlds

A VR exoskeleton called the Holotron works with a person’s entire lower body to let them control the locomotion of an avatar in VR.

Kristin Houser

Astronomy

See the Milky Way 1.6 million years from now

Using data from the Gaia spacecraft, ESA scientists predict where 40,000 stars in the Milky Way will be 1.6 million years from now.

Kristin Houser

Robotics

The best therapy dog may be a robot

A life-life robot dog might be an effective — or even preferable — alternative to a living therapy dog, according to a new study.

Kristin Houser